Nebraska coach Rhule outlines preparation and injury updates ahead of Michigan State trip
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule discussed the team's injury status, travel roster limits and game plan as the Huskers head to East Lansing for their first road contest of the season.
Nebraska will travel to East Lansing on Saturday for its first away game of the year against Michigan State. Coach Matt Rhule said tight end Carter Nelson will miss the matchup after limping off in the win over North Dakota, and his status beyond the game remains uncertain, though the injury is not ACL-related. Rhule noted Nelson is the only significant injury the Huskers face as they enter Big Ten play.
The team will be allowed to bring 80 players on the road, six more than under the previous rule, which Rhule said simplifies roster decisions. He explained that the final spots are awarded to players who can contribute during the game and who have shown the most deliberate practice in the week leading up to it.
Rhule highlighted the need for cleaner special-teams play, citing a history of penalties, and warned that Michigan State’s cornerbacks are expected to press all day, requiring Nebraska receivers to win the battle at the line of scrimmage. He described Saturday’s contest as an "execution game" rather than a schematic one.
The coach said the varied styles faced in non-conference games should help the Huskers adjust to Big Ten competition. He expressed confidence that veteran players, particularly quarterback Anthony Colandrea, will guide the younger squad in the road environment, adding that older, more mature teams typically perform better.
Rhule also praised defensive coordinator Rob Aurich for mixing defensive fronts, noting that a more frequent four-man front aligns with the personnel. He mentioned Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall as one of the top players the Huskers will encounter in conference play.
Finally, Rhule called the decision to schedule Notre Dame a "forward-thinking" move by athletic director Troy Dannen, referencing potential expansion of the College Football Playoff, and said the staff is being careful not to overuse freshman running back Jamal Rule, employing a three-man rotation as the team turns its focus to conference games.